metadata
noun
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How Metadata Was Formed
It's easy to find data on the source of "metadata": the word was formed by combining "data" with "meta-," which means "transcending" and is often used to describe a new but related discipline designed to deal critically with the original one. "Meta-" was first used in that way in "metaphysics" and has been extended to a number of other disciplines, giving us such words as "metapsychology" and "metamathematics." "Metadata" takes the "transcending" aspect a step further, applying it to the concept of pure information instead of a discipline. "Metadata" is a fairly new word (it appeared in the latter half of the 20th century), whereas "data" can be traced back to the middle of the 17th century.
Examples of metadata in a Sentence
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
The platform will encourage, but apparently not mandate, that artists label their AI usage via a new industry standard developed through DDEX — a long-standing non-profit that creates technical standards for song metadata across platforms.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
The metadata tag, which can’t easily be tampered with, shows who created a piece of media, how it was made, and whether AI played a role.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Packets provide the data needed to generate precise, reliable metadata, offering actionable intelligence and deep visibility into complex interactions.
—Bruce Kelley, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metadata
Cite this Entry
“Metadata.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metadata. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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